Phillip "Phil" Prather

Phil Prather, 86, of Huntersville, NC passed into the loving arms of his Savior on Thursday, July 10th 2025. 

Phil was born in a one-room cabin in Grahn, KY on April 12, 1939 to the late Ralph and Margie (Phillips) Prather. He married Donna (Mueller) Prather in June 1964.  In addition to his wife, he is survived by his two daughters: Pam (Andy) Lazur of Huntersville, NC and Sue (Dave) Stiles of Cornelius, NC; grandchildren: Grant (Jess), Zach (Caroline), and Will Stiles and Taylor and Matthew Lazur; brother Paul Prather of Phoenix, AZ, and sisters Phillis Straka of Fountain Hills, AZ and Joanne (John) Melillo of Charlotte, NC.  And sister-in-law JoAnn Mueller of Akron, OH. He is preceded in death by his parents and brother-in-law Dave Mueller.

Phil graduated from Kettering Fairmont High School in 1957. It was at Fairmont he met Donna. He graduated from Ohio Wesleyan University in 1961 where he ran track and played football. He went on to receive a master’s degree from Miami University of Ohio.

After college, Phil worked as a teacher, coach and administrator for Dayton Public Schools. He enjoyed many years with co-workers Bobby Lewis and Glen Niday. Phil retired in 1995 after 33 years with the school district. 

Phil was an avid golfer – organizing many local tournaments. He loved tennis, platform tennis, skiing and boating. He was a teacher outside of the classroom – teaching many friends how to water ski, play golf and tennis. In retirement, Phil also ran a handyman business with his friend, Gary Gabbard.

Phil was a faithful member of Southern Hills United Methodist Church in Kettering, OH and Mt. Zion UMC in Huntersville, NC. The family would like to especially thank Phil’s caregivers Deb, LaTonia, Iris, Delores and Gloria and the staff at Hospice of Iredell County for their kindness and compassion for Phil through his journey with Parkinson's.

A Celebration of Life service for Phil will be held on Saturday, August 30, 2025 at 4:00pm at SOUTHERN HILLS UNITED METHODIST CHURCH, 2287 South Dixie Dr., Kettering,  Ohio 45409. Pastor David Broyles to officiate. 

Memorial contributions may be gifted to the Prather Family College Scholarship Fund at the Dayton Foundation, 1401 S. Main Street, Suite 100, Dayton, OH, 45409. https://daytonfoundation.academicworks.com/donors